But then there are the cons. International shows have had a history of bombing in U.S. markets. While WWE could draw tremendous ticket sales and get a lot of international attention, it'll likely draw a horrendously low buyrate here in the States.

The only major "international" (I'm not counting Canada in this case) PPV that the WWE has ever done is Summerslam 1992, and it could be argued that the low buyrate was more representative of a general downturn of interest in wrestling at that time than people saying "Oh, this PPV is in England? Never mind." Frankly, the Wembley Stadium atmosphere was second to none, and the Tokyo Dome would be no doubt just as good. As far as spoilers go....what is the time difference between North America (east coast) and Japan?

Over 1700 posts and still never a Wiener of the Day! But I'm not bitter!

But then there are the cons. International shows have had a history of bombing in U.S. markets. While WWE could draw tremendous ticket sales and get a lot of international attention, it'll likely draw a horrendously low buyrate here in the States.

The only major "international" (I'm not counting Canada in this case) PPV that the WWE has ever done is Summerslam 1992, and it could be argued that the low buyrate was more representative of a general downturn of interest in wrestling at that time than people saying "Oh, this PPV is in England? Never mind." Frankly, the Wembley Stadium atmosphere was second to none, and the Tokyo Dome would be no doubt just as good. As far as spoilers go....what is the time difference between North America (east coast) and Japan?

Japan is 13 hours ahead of the east coast. I think they could build up to it too with just having more Japanese wrestlers making occasional appearances on TV building up to the PPV. I mean, they have a close relationship with New Japan, don't they? And Inoki digs the sports entertainment stuff. Also with the new relations they can have with Toryumon, these matches would definitely be dream matches to the Japanese too.

It would be similar to the Invasion...but done better. But would WWE be able to right the wrongs they did the first time around?

Oh and on the topic of Billy Gunn, I read on one of the news sites (I can't find the link at the moment. I'll look for it, but maybe someone can back me up on this)after the match with Cena and seeing the crowd get behind Cena, I think the WWE higher-ups changed their minds about Billy.

And for some reason, even though Taker no-sold Cena's offense, I have this spark of hope in me that maybe, just maybe, Cena will kick the crap out of Taker and beat him cleanly. But knowing things, that spark will probably die out quickly.

"And Inoki digs the sports entertainment stuff. Also with the new relations they can have with Toryumon, these matches would definitely be dream matches to the Japanese too."

Inoki digs MMA really, not sports entertainment, so I can't see a relationship with New Japan being forged. At this point, All Japan is more likely, because they would be more desperate for cross promotion.

I admire your optimism about the Cena-Taker match, but I can't see Cena dominating that match, even though the heel should lead the match. If Cena gets anything more than a flash pin, I'll be very surprised. Hey, at least Taker may actually sell for him though, he's over 6' 2''.

I don't doubt Cena will have a good showing against Taker but my wigga ain't winning.

His push is almost mirroring Angle's debut. The gimmicks are drastically different but Cena's got the whole "getting heat through sports rivalries" thing that Kurt did for what, his whole first year? After that, maybe it just boils down to WWE's "push / depush / push" cycle with potential main eventers. It's still an uncanny resemblance, IMO.

Now he's up against Taker just like Angle was on that PPV where Jericho had the "Last Man Standing" match with Hunter and Benoit had one of his Dusty finishes against The Rock. Just like all the other new guys on that card, Angle lost to Taker.

So, Cena's not going to win but just being there against a gatekeeper of the upper card like Taker is a big step in his career.

I like the Fully Loaded PPV comparison. I'm on the fence here though. Usually I'd say no chance, but they seem sold on Cena, and he's getting a great reaction from the crowd, even if it's partially cheap heat. Maybe we'll get a Taker-Brock situation, with an inconclusive match, followed by a rematch at SummerSlam. Cena was rushed into main event status too soon, I think he's only just recovering from that. Nice way to be eased back into title contention, by beating Taker.

Originally posted by Notorious F.A.B.So, Cena's not going to win but just being there against a gatekeeper of the upper card like Taker is a big step in his career.

Kinda like when they wrestled on Smackdown a few months ago and Cena "beat" The Undertaker? Some rub...

Are you referring to the match in the #1 contenders tourney? I don't think the aim of that match in particular was to put Cena over or give him a rub, moreso the whole tournament. Wrestling on PPV in a match built up over a few weeks is slightly different to that match.

Originally posted by TheLurkingHorror[quotemid]Inoki digs MMA really, not sports entertainment, so I can't see a relationship with New Japan being forged.

(edited by TheLurkingHorror on 14.7.03 1133)

that's true as well. His Inoki Dojo ran a worked-shoot show down in Santa Monica here last month. Did pretty well, they packed the venue (though it only held about 100 people). I was thinking though more towards those WRESTLE-1 shows with the flashy entrances and pyro and Chyna/Joanie being carried out like a goddess. heh.

Originally posted by Notorious F.A.B.I don't doubt Cena will have a good showing against Taker but my wigga ain't winning.

His push is almost mirroring Angle's debut. The gimmicks are drastically different but Cena's got the whole "getting heat through sports rivalries" thing that Kurt did for what, his whole first year? After that, maybe it just boils down to WWE's "push / depush / push" cycle with potential main eventers. It's still an uncanny resemblance, IMO.

Now he's up against Taker just like Angle was on that PPV where Jericho had the "Last Man Standing" match with Hunter and Benoit had one of his Dusty finishes against The Rock. Just like all the other new guys on that card, Angle lost to Taker.

So, Cena's not going to win but just being there against a gatekeeper of the upper card like Taker is a big step in his career.

Excellent point. I recall Angle getting squashed like a bug on this PPV, but then went on to become world champion 3 months later.

A lot of that can be attributed to the dynamite program that Angle had with Triple H that followed immediately after and hopefully Cena can get a feud that's just as good. If the pattern continues, we could be seeing WWE Champion John Cena at the October PPV.

Originally posted by TheLurkingHorror[quotemid]Inoki digs MMA really, not sports entertainment, so I can't see a relationship with New Japan being forged.

(edited by TheLurkingHorror on 14.7.03 1133)

that's true as well. His Inoki Dojo ran a worked-shoot show down in Santa Monica here last month. Did pretty well, they packed the venue (though it only held about 100 people). I was thinking though more towards those WRESTLE-1 shows with the flashy entrances and pyro and Chyna/Joanie being carried out like a goddess. heh.

yeah, she was part of inoki's stable...and still sucked. NJ was always more affiliated with WCW anyway.

Actually, Mutoh has been the main guest the last few shows.

Plus given the history, you might see something with Ultimo and Tajiri.

Originally posted by TheLurkingHorror[quotemid]Inoki digs MMA really, not sports entertainment, so I can't see a relationship with New Japan being forged.

(edited by TheLurkingHorror on 14.7.03 1133)

that's true as well. His Inoki Dojo ran a worked-shoot show down in Santa Monica here last month. Did pretty well, they packed the venue (though it only held about 100 people). I was thinking though more towards those WRESTLE-1 shows with the flashy entrances and pyro and Chyna/Joanie being carried out like a goddess. heh.

One nitpick. The WRESTLE-1 shows were promoted by Keiji Mutoh aka The Great Muta (All Japan President) and then-K1 president Kazuyoshi Ishii. Mutoh seems to be the Sports Entertainment fan, and even did commentary on WWE's last Japan go-through.

(edited by Mild Mannered Madman on 15.7.03 1145)There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Royal Rumble: Batista. I predict Daniel Bryan will be in the Rumble because I think the E recognizes that there's a real chance the live crowd will shit on the match if he isn't. World Title: Orton. Tag Title: Rhodes Brothers. Brock v Big Show: Brock....